Alberta Filipino Journal - August 2017 issue

A wi winner inn makes commitment. A loser makes promises. mises.

MJ Lastimosa meeting you at Royal Oaks P4 AlbertaFilipinoJournal

Joe Medina's Secret to Success P3 AUGUST 2017 ‡ 9ROXPH 1XPEHU

Philippine Pavilion A Hit at the Servus Heritage Festival "World in a Weekend"

The group of dedicated organizers and volunteers at the Philippine Pavilion's Stage.

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

BUSINESS

AUGUST 2017

BUSINESS/COMMUNITY

AUGUST 2017

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

3

Filipinos Success' Stories:

Kaya Ko, Kaya Mo! %\ 0DUMRULH &DUPRQD 1HZPDQ

His Secret to Success:"Humility is the mother of all virtues." From a lot attendant to a car dealer and how he worked his way up in Canada.

A

Filipino worked his way up from the lot to owning one of the biggest car dealerships in the City of Edmonton.

Joe Medina seems like the friendly next-door neighbor.

But he is more than that. He is president of Auto Canada, also known as Crosstown Centre, with more than 200 employees under his leadership.

A native of Silang, Cavite, Medina also manages the Crosstown Centre in Edmonton, a far cry from his humble beginning when he arrived in Canada during the 70's.

"I started here in 1978. I started as a lot person. I was the guy who was actually moving cars all over the place. Then , ÀJXUHG RXW WKDW VHOOLQJ FDUV it's not really that tough. When I was making $3.50 per hour back then in 1978 compared to ZKDW , PDGH ZKHQ , ÀUVW VROG D car and earned $300 that took me 2 hours," he said.

Medina worked as a lot attendant for four years before becoming a car salesman. +H ZDV SURPRWHG DV ÀQDQFH manager and then sales manager and became vice president for operations.

With Medina on the realm, the dealership became number one in Canada.

"People will knock you down. If you are doing good they will bring you down. There's jealousy in this business. Back then there was racism but it is up to you to overcome it. To me, being a good person is everything," he said.

In 2006, the company transitioned into a publicly traded company where Medina had the opportunity to become a shareholder.

In 2013, he received the prestigious Canadian Auto Dealers Association Laureate in the category of Retail Operations.

"Joe is one of the most

The Filipino Connection.

Chester Tiongson added, "Joe Medina is very competitive. generous people I have ever I play basketball with him. He known. Even with all his treats us like family at work. successes he still has the heart That's why he is very successful." of the Filipino. Mabait siya sa His success is shared, kapwa niya. Matulungin. Anyone especially to those in need. Auto FDQ JR VWUDLJKW WR KLV RIĂ€FH Canada/Crosstown thru Medina He has always been open to contributed over $100,000 to suggestions and helping us out the victims of typhoon Haiyan in personally. This is why I love the the Philippines. man. He is a very nice person in A sports lover, Medina and out," said Tony Surtida of also supports various sports

activities across Alberta.

"It's not easy. We always seem to forget the values of Filipinos. It is being humble. It's not about being materialistic.

It's about family. When you get here you got overwhelmed by so many choices. If you are going to search for money it will drain you. In order to be successful I think loyalty is huge and you can't have fear. There are no limits. I look back to where I came from," Medina said.

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

COMMUNITY/ANNOUNCEMENT/SPORTS

AUGUST 2017

Making Our Immigration More Fair %\ +RQ $PDUMHHW 6RKL 0HPEHU RI WKH 3DUOLDPHQW (GPRQWRQ 0LOOZRRGV

O

ur government is committed to ensuring that Canada continues to attract the best and the brightest from around the world, who bring their skills, talents, and abilities and put them to work building a more prosperous country for us all.

Earlier this summer, Bill C-6 passed into law, rolling back the unfair changes made by the former government and strengthening our immigration V\VWHP E\ SURYLGLQJ PRUH Ă H[LELOLW\ DQG VKRUWHU ZDLW times for those hoping to become Canadian citizens.

It reduces by one year the length of time permanent residents must be in Canada before applying for citizenship and allows applicants to receive credit for the time they resided in Canada before becoming permanent residents.

Bill C-6 complements the other initiatives our government has put forward to make our immigration FRQWLQXHG RQ SDJH Ĺš

SPORTS JOURNAL MOSES BILLACURA In coordination with Rolly De Mesa mo.sports@gmail.com Moses Billacura was a sports correspondent for national newspapers in the Philippines since 1992 and served as sports editor and columnist for a community paper before moving to Canada in 2010. He is an Edmonton Oilers fan.

Body Physique Competition Hermel De Luna is getting ready for the 2018 Nationals after hurdling two elimination rounds last month.

'H /XQD FRPSHWHG ÀUVW LQ WKH $OEHUWD Northerns Championships on June 17 in Edmonton and advanced to the Provincial Championships on June 24 in Calgary where he earned a spot to the Nationals.

"To prepare for the Nationals next year, I continue training and working on body parts that I will need to bring out for the show," said De Luna who is entered in the men's physique Class A. Nutrition, he added, plays a big part in training including the support of friends and family.

"They keep me striving to be the best," he said.

AUGUST 2017

L

ife is like a game, every time you level up, it becomes harder and more challenging. Those things teach us to be more independent and wake us up towards the bites of reality. That is why you need to think of a strategy, so you will win fairly and squarely. Even though you might lose, never give up; just go on.

You constantly met set of friends since your early ages.

You will know who among them is real, genuinely true and who is not. You will know if they are always by your side and consistently communicating with you. They would give you pieces of advice; mostly on love, if you have a problem with your “love life.â€? They would give you “hugotsâ€? that will leave you good memories of the past. They are the type of friends who make crazy and insane things with you. They are the ones who you used to be with in the 3ULQFLSDO¡V RIĂ€FH GXULQJ your menace days. They are like your brothers and sisters.

Ideally, they are expected to be with you until the end. Yet,

INSPIRATION/RELIGION

everything and attitudes are subject to change—everything changes indeed.

For instance, I fell in love with your best friend. I perhaps do not know how it happened

and that sets my mind into confusion. Every smile and laugh of my puppy love or crush has now meant a lot to me. My

From a Vantage Point TITO S.VENIDA

Tito S. Venida is a product of the University of the Philippines. He used to be a studentleader during his college days. Became one of the founders of the Tau Gamna Phi, one of the world leading Philippine-produced Fraternities. His immensurable love to human race has brought him to the conviction of translating his mission from fraternity into Divinity--from a mere brotherhood into a sainthood. Authored a book entitled Quocunque Jeceris Stabit, which means, wherever you throw, it will stand.

,QÀQLWH -R\ LQ WKH Eternal God He hath made every thing beautiful in His time: also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can ¿QG RXW WKH ZRUN WKDW *RG PDNHWK IURP WKH EHJLQQLQJ to the end." Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV OLD CONCEPT OF WORSHIP Before I became a Christian, I couldn’t fathom the concept of an exciting heaven. I was told we would worship the Lord Jesus Christ forever like the angels. To me, that sounded like a horribly boring life. I could not FRPSUHKHQG ÀQGLQJ SOHDVXUH in worshiping God or praying to Him for an eternity.

For me, worship was just old music accompanied by a middle-aged woman pounding on a tambourine or playing an accordion; and prayer was merely concentrating on trying to focus on God, and always failing.

But there comes a time for all of us to grow up, spiritually, and come to terms with the

actions became the expression and the message that FRPSOHWHV DQG ÀOOV XS P\ GD\ ÀOOHG HLWKHU ZLWK MR\ RU VDGQHVV I do not know if this is right, but one thing I know is I fell in love with my best friend. Love is so unpredictable. I continued how I feel because that is what my heart dictates, but one day, I confessed and that was the happiest day of my life because she feels the same way—the feeling was mutual. Days passed by, I stopped the whole Universe just to start our hearts EHDWLQJ , VDFULÀFHG P\ WLPH just to show her I care. She won all my attention; but one day when I woke up, she’s g o n e — no longer by my side anymore.

So sad, that after I’ve given up even my own dream, opted to hold onto her and hoped that it would be forever; it turned into a failure. It seemed that the stars disappeared our of my sight.

It seemed like the heartbeats disappeared that my ears stop

message of eternity. For God "hath made every thing beautiful in His time. Also, He hath set the world in their heart, so that no PDQ FDQ ÀQG RXW WKH ZRUN WKDW God maketh from the beginning to the end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV).

OUR SOLE PURPOSE IN LIFE Our sole purpose in life, whether we know it or not, is to glorify God, and we should enjoy that. In fact, we have a mistaken view of our purpose if we don’t.

God spared nothing, and has withheld no good thing, He’s given us even His only begotten Son to die in our stead.

When the psalmist wrote for us to, "Delight thyself also

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

5

FROM A TEENAGE EYES KRISTIAN CERENO Kristian Cereno is a Grade 8 Student of St. Mark’s Catholic School in Edmonton. His hobbies include writing poem, composing songs, playing volleyball and in the long run, hoping to learn hockey the Canadian way‌.

to hear what I used to hear. It seemed like that the promises that we’ve made together were blown away by the wind. What happened?

What really happened? Did I do something wrong? Is she tired of me? Is she not happy anymore? So many questions MXVW ZHQW DQG Ă HZ LQWR P\ PLQG about the cause of separation.

I was confused about such love affairs. I could not sleep for some reason. I cried over and over again because I feel like deprived of you anymore. It felt like a perfume that her fragrance can just be smelt temporarily, but as the time passes by, it will slowly disappear. She is my kind of friend who I used to tell my problems with.

My friend who I am always with, in good times and in bad times. My friend who I was always with in crazy things. She is one of a kind – But it seems like everything has changed.

There’s a major question that in the Lord" (Psalm 37:4a KJV), he wasn't writing it to sound religious. Religion cannot enjoy God, it can only fear Him from a distance. As a young man, raised in a Roman Catholic family, I saw God through the cold eyes of religion, and viewed prayer and worship as burdensome works to earn favor instead of drawing near to the Fountain of Life - the Lord Jesus Christ.

remains in my mind now: “Was I not enough?�

One of these days, I will surely send you text message to keep communicating with you.

I will get pretentious that there seems nothing wrong happened between us in the past. I will ask you how are things going?

I would assume that you will tell me you are doing okay and you will call me once again as your “best friend�. You will throw a smile that will leave with an indelible character in my soul.

The impish smile that will teach PH KRZ WR EH PRUH FRQĂ€GHQW competent, and loving person in the future.

Our friendship, our moments together, and our love have so much lessons but serve one and a single message to forever be considered as my own treasure. That is, the thought, I should realize that this is how far we can get – that I will always be your friend and just your Best Friend.

His Word, and His Truth are usually little more than things we know we should be proclaiming.

Our religion diminishes the Gospel and the Lord Jesus Christ by subtly conveying that His shed blood and resurrection are simply not enough; He is not VXIÀFLHQW 7KRXJK WKLV LV WDXJKW nowhere in Scripture, I’ve lived most of my life in bondage to this heresy, and it has drained the life out of my spirit, and sapped the vitality of my soul.

OUR FUNDAMENTAL When we arrive in STUMBLING BLOCK "paradise," as the Lord Jesus I believe our fundamental called it (Luke 23:43), we will stumbling block to enjoying God experience ever increasing joy. and learning to delight in Him is We will never say again, "It was the merit based system we often fun while it lasted," for our joy in ÀQG RXUVHOYHV LQ DV SUHVHQW GD\ the Risen Savior will be without Christians. Our "love" for God, end. Amen!

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

OPINION/ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL STAFF

The politics of failure Perezcope PERRY DIAZ PerryDiaz@gmail.com

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hen Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was campaigning for the presidency in 2016, he promised – nay, vowed! – to eradicate criminality and the drug menace within three to six months. But three months passed and the drug problem didn’t go away.

Duterte admitted that the war on drugs was like letting “a can of worms out of the can� and that he wanted a little extension of may be another six months.� “I did not realize how severe and how serious the drug menace was in this republic until I became president,� he said.

But his request for extension was rebuffed by Sen. 3DQÀOR ´3LQJ¾ /DFVRQ ZKR VDLG that a six-month extension on the war on drugs and

criminality would be futile since solving crime and corruption is impossible even in Duterte’s lifetime.

Lacson emphasized that elimination of crime, corruption and drugs trade in six months or even a year is an impossible task. “Not in 3 months, not in 6 months, not in our lifetime.

Crime, drugs and corruption will outlive all of us. He can greatly minimize or reduce these but stopping them completely will not happen. Even the most progressive countries in the world, can’t solve crime, drugs, and corruption,� he said.

A year later into his presidency, Duterte’s war on drugs led to the death of over 8,000 drug pushers and users.

Extrajudicial killing became the

Published by Angeles Publishing Company Inc. 246 Lindsay Crescent, Edmonton, Alberta T6R 2T2 Jose L. Angeles 3XEOLVKHU &KLHI 2SHUDWLQJ 2IĂ€FHU Sales & Advertising CP: 780-916-7677 Landline: 780-988-8889 Fax: 780-988-2221 (PDLO DOEHUWDĂ€OLSLQRMRXUQDO #JPDLO FRP Lito Mendoza Velasco Editor-in-Chief 780-655-5126 DOEHUWDĂ€OLSLQRMRXUQDO #JPDLO FRP Melanie Rose Atizado Angeles $GPLQLVWUDWRU 2IĂ€FH 0DQDJHU Sales & Advertising Melanie Gomez Dionzon Layout Artist 3KRWRJUDSKHUV 9LGHRJUDSKHU Noli Granado, Dario Juanillo Regular Columnists: Rod Cantiveros, Erlinda Dolly Tan Rosalyn Estoque, Lito Mendoza Velasco, Perry Diaz Contributing Writers: Marjorie Carmona-Newman, Tito S. Venida Ida Beltran-Lucila, Katrina Marielle U. Cereno, Kristian Cereno, Marco Luciano, Lulu Bernal, Mervin Mendoza Cereno, Moses Billacura The Alberta Filipino Journal is dedicated in memory of Rosalinda Linsangan Natividad-Cantiveros of Winnipeg as she engaged her entire life servicing the Filipino Community.

We welcome submissions-news, articles, pictures and letters. Letters must include signature and phone number; names can be withheld upon request. We reserve the right to edit for length and content. All submissions, unless arrangements are made, become the property of the publisher. Reproduction of contents, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission IURP WKH 3XEOLVKHU (GLWRU 2SLQLRQV E\ FROXPQLVW ZULWHUV DQG UHDGHUV GR QRW LQ DQ\ ZD\ UHĂ€HFW WKRVH RI WKH 3XEOLVKHU (GLWRU

AUGUST 2017

of failure that he could not solve the drug problem within his term.� Another opposition leader, Magdalo party-list trademark of his campaign to Rep. Gary Alejano, said: “It’s a eliminate the drug menace and welcome development for the corruption.

Political leaders President to admit he could not – known as narco-politicians -- solve the problem.â€? involved in the drug trade were But presidential targeted for death by vigilantes, spokesman Ernesto Abella said some of who were suspected to Duterte’s statement that he EH PRRQOLJKWLQJ SROLFH RIĂ€FHUV could not eliminate the drug problem within his term was *LYLQJ XS WKH Ă€JKW only meant to show the “depth, But in an apparent enormity and the complexityâ€? of “surrenderâ€? in the war against the drug situation, which cannot drugs, Duterte once again be solved overnight. admitted that his government “The President’s remarks couldn’t afford to eradicate that the Philippines cannot the drug menace. During his control the drug problem speech to medical practitioners underscore its depth, enormity at the Southern Philippines and the complexity. PRRD’s Medical Center in Davao City, [Duterte’s] statement further Duterte said, “We can’t control points out that the drug it.â€? He claimed that no country situation in the Philippines is a had the resources to control problem that cannot be solved ubiquitous drugs. “Others can’t overnight,â€? Abella said. “The do it. How can we?â€? he asked. anti-drug campaign must thus, Duterte said the country’s continue to be unrelenting long coastline and thousands and unremitting while getting of islands had made the control everyone’s full support and RI GUXJV VPXJJOLQJ GLIĂ€FXOW cooperation,â€? he added.

He claimed, “We do not have the equipment to monitor the Fabricated failure entire coastlines.�

But he This reminds me of the knew of the country’s “long presidency of the late dictator coastline� before he made his Ferdinand E. Marcos back in promise to eliminate the drug the early 1970s when student problem, did he not?

And activists joined the communist only recently, a shipment of movements. One of them was shabu (methamphetamine the Kabataang Makabayan hydrochloride) worth P6.4 (Patriotic Youth or “KMâ€?), a billion was smuggled through political organization founded the Bureau of Customs’ “green by Jose Ma. “Jomaâ€? Sison. Antilineâ€?? government protests grew in Which makes one wonder: number and violence-induced How much smuggling occurs at ULRWV LQWHQVLĂ€HG 8QDEOH WR the BOC and other international stop the “red menace,â€? Marcos ports of entry vs. smuggling played his ace by claiming along the country’s “long that his government has coastlineâ€?? With the help of failed – a fabricated “failureâ€?

FRUUXSW &XVWRPV RIĂ€FLDOV DQG -- to eradicate the communist JUHHG\ ´À[HUVÂľ DW WKH %2& LW insurgency. However, he was would be easier – and more convincing enough that the SURĂ€WDEOH ² WR VPXJJOH JRRGV people initially supported him through the BOC. [Source: when he declared martial law, Global Balita, “Corruption at purportedly to stem the red tide BOC,â€? August 18, 2017] of communism.

In an attempt to justify his With the “war on drugsâ€? failure to eradicate the drug seemingly failing, it makes one menace, Duterte said that the wonder if Duterte would borrow drugs problem couldn’t be a page from Marcos’ playbook solved within his six-year term. to deal with the failure of his But the opposition minority bloc campaign against illegal drugs? in the House of Representatives He has two options: (1) Stop used his statement against him. the government-sanctioned Congressman Edcel Lagman, extrajudicial killings and one of Duterte’s critics, said: transition to legal means and “When the President said it let the justice system prosecute would take more than six years LOOHJDO GUXJ WUDIĂ€FNHUV ZLWKLQ WKH to solve the drug problem, it limits of Philippine, or (2) declare is preparing the nation of his martial law and suspend the writ failure. That is an admission of habeas corpus. Needless to

say, Option One is the one that the international community prefers.

On the other hand, Option Two – while it might succeed initially just like the early days of martial law under Marcos – would eventually become oppressive and repressive, which would draw condemnation from the international community and human rights advocates.

But placing the country under martial rule would imperil the economy. How can we forget what happened to the country’s economy under Marcos?

Trade suffered immensely and the country’s dollar – and gold -- reserves mysteriously disappeared.

Within a few years after martial law was declared, the Philippines – which was second only to Japan in economic wealth – became the “Sick Man of Asia� and international pariah.

It took 30 years for the Philippines to redeem itself from the ravages of martial law. While it’s no longer the “Sick Man of Asia,� it is now called the “Shabu Capital of the World,� where international drug syndicates use the country as a transit hub for the illegal drug trade.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport has been LGHQWLÀHG DV D ´IDYRUDEOH LOOHJDO GUXJ WUDIÀFNLQJ KXE ¾ $FFRUGLQJ to a United Nations World Drug Report, the Philippines has the highest abuse rate for shabu in East Asia. A few years ago, the Philippine National Police 313 FRQÀUPHG UHSRUWV WKDW the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel had started operations in the country.

With the daunting magnitude of the country’s GUXJ SUREOHP 'XWHUWH ÀQGV himself with no easy solution to eradicating it, which makes one wonder if Sen. Ping Lacson was right after all when he said WKDW VWRSSLQJ GUXJ WUDIÀFNLQJ and criminality is impossible to do even in Duterte’s lifetime.

Caught in a deadly political situation, Duterte might just have to bite the bullet and resort to fabricating “failure� to justify the imposition of martial law.

And just like Marcos, he might ÀQG WKDW ´SROLWLFV RI IDLOXUH¾ has its usefulness, albeit momentarily. But eventually, it will come to a sad denouement, just like Marcos’ fabricated failure.

help us attract more employers who want to make job-creating Making Our investments in Canada and Immigration More Fair reduce processing times for V\VWHP IDLUHU DQG PRUH HIÀFLHQW bringing in top talent and new as well as ensure that Canada skills, creating good, middle– and Canadians - maximize class jobs and helping Canadian WKH EHQHÀWV ZH UHFHLYH :H businesses remain competitive. recently launched the Global We also know that Skills Strategy, which will make newcomers to Canada are it easier for companies doing more successful when they business in Canada to hire have a strong support system. highly trained people, both here 7KDW¡V ZK\ IDPLO\ UHXQLÀFDWLRQ in Canada and abroad, and is a core immigration priority will position our country as a for our government. We have global innovation leader. It will doubled the number of parent

and grandparent sponsorship applications accepted per year and are working to bring down the backlog and processing times for spouses, partners, and dependent children. There is still work to be done, but I am pleased that we are now on the right path.

Our government has an ambitious agenda to build a more prosperous, innovative Canada for today and for the IXWXUH $ PRGHUQ HIĂ€FLHQW DQG inclusive immigration system has a big role to play in achieving our goals.

IURP SDJH

AUGUST 2017

SPORTS/BUSINESS

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

7

The Philippine Martial Arts: Hovering Around Alberta %\ 'DULR -XDQLOOR

7KH 3KLOLSSLQH :DUULRU $UWV 6RFLHW\ LV D UHJLVWHUHG QRQ SURĂ€W RUJDQL]DWLRQ WKDW LV GHGLFDWHG WR SUHVHUYLQJ DQG SURPRWLQJ WKH martial cultural traditions and practices from the Philippines. This annual gathering was organized by Master Herald Casana and Guro Oliver Salvador of Philippine Warrior Arts Society (PWAS).

With such a vast number of islands and tribes in the archipelago that comprises the Philippines, a great variety of martial cultural traditions and practices exists. Our goal is to help document and preserve the various cultural traditions and practices from each Filipino martial arts style or system, as each is unique and is a result of the knowledge that was passed down through the ages, from WKH ÀUVW 0DQGLULJPD ZDUULRU

to those of us who practice the Filipino martial arts today. The martial arts of the Philippines have been referred to by many names, but the most commonly used names are "Arnis", "Eskrima", or "Kali". Other lesser

known names are "Estokada", "Estoque", or "Fraile".

During the 6th gathering, different style were presented by different groups. Grand Master Fidel Bonifacio presented his Modern Arnis, Arnis de Mano by Master Dastin Alambra, Rutano Estokada by Grand master Gilbert LaFantaisle, Violence Lecture from Coach Rand King, Inosanto Kali Blend presented

by Guro Marvin Ishmael, Natural Spirit International (NSI) by Guro Michael Anderson, Kali Ilustrisimo by Grand Master Norman Suanico / Guro Phil Nadela / Guro Carson MacDonald, and Paclibar Arnis presented by Grand Master Roger Paclibar.

AUGUST 2017

ARTS/CULTURE/BUSINESS

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

9

The Philippines in focus for Alberta Culture Days 2017 Artospective - an artist’s point of view IDA BELTRAN-LUCILA ida_b_lucila@yahoo.com

A

s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declares, diversity is Canada’s strength. With its immigration policy, Canada has developed a society of varying cultures, languages, and sensibilities. To this end, numerous initiatives are undertaken in the promotion of multiculturalism in all facets of Canadian society.

One such event is Culture Days, a 3-day event held annually on the last weekend of September. The Alberta Culture Days actually started in 2008 as Alberta Arts Days, and was instrumental in the creation of Culture Days, a nation-wide event to “raise awareness, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities.

One such event this year, and has been selected as DQ RIĂ€FLDO FHOHEUDWLRQ VLWH for Alberta, is Kalinangan, organized by the Philippine Arts Council. It will be held on September 30, 2017, 1-7 pm, at the ACCA Centre, 3530 91 Street, Edmonton. Kalinangan, in its many variance of use, is the Tagalog word for culture, way of life, or cultivation of learning.

This event features back-toback workshops on Philippine dance, music, visual arts, and martial arts, among others:

,QGLJHQRXV ,QVWUXPHQWV :RUNVKRS - Emma is an original musical by Chie Floresca and Erica Cawagas. Scheduled to premier in 2018, it is a play inspired by the perseverance and resilience of the Filipino spirit. The workshop will include a mini-talk on the creative process of the musical, a performance of excerpts, and hands-on instruction on indigenous instruments. The workshop will be facilitated by Erica Cawagas, Kreisha Oro and the Filipino-Canadian Saranay Association. Éż )LOLSLQR 0DUWLDO $UWV - the Philippine Warrior Arts Society in Edmonton instructs on Pekiti7LUVLD .DOL D VW\OH VSHFLĂ€F WR Filipino martial arts, founded in 1897 and is the system of the Tortal family in the Philippines.

It is strictly a combat-oriented system, as opposed to sportIRFXVHG VW\OH ,W LV D ÀJKWLQJ system that focuses on the knife and machete/sword for combat and has been adopted by elite Philippine military and law enforcement units around the world. ɿ 0HHW WKH $XWKRUV DQG %RRN Signing ɞ $QQLH &KXD LV WKH DXWKRU of Domestically Yours: A ɿ )LOLSLQR ,PDJH 3DLQWLQJ Caregiver’s Inspiring Journey, a - acrylic artist Mila Bongco- chronicle of Annie’s experiences Philipzig, assisted by portrait- under the Live-in Caregiver artist Heidel Valeriano, will Program in her quest to create guide participants into creating a better future for her four their own artwork on a chosen daughters, at the same time Philippine image. leaving them behind in the ɿ 3KLOLSSLQH )RON 'DQFH DQG Philippines.

0RGHUQ 7UDQVIRUPDWLRQV ɞ 0LOD %RQJFR 3KLOLS]LJ LV WKH - Facilitated by established author of 2 children’s books: choreographer & director Jojo Sandy Beaches to Snow, Snow Lucila, this is a workshop on to Sandy Beaches is a child’s Philippine folk and ethnic story about a family coming from dances, encompassing cultural a tropical place to a land of ice contexts and imageries of and snow, mirroring the author’s movement, which will serve as own move from the Philippines framework in the translation to Edmonton; and Good Night and/or adaptation of folk/ Philippines, Good Night World, a ethnic movements to modern story of different places tenderly westernized dance idioms. saying goodnight to each other, ɿ (PPD WKH 0XVLFDO DQG as separated Filipino loved ones

bid each other good night. Éż :RUN LQ 3URJUHVV *UDSKLF %RRN RQ 0LJUDWLRQ - An illustration on the story of migration to Canada. A Canada 150 project of Migrante Alberta.

Culture Days starts on September 29. Check out the Culture Days website for activities going on all over the country. Get involved...plan your activities...diversify. And if you’re Filipino or of Filipino descent, do not be a stranger to your own country. Or live what you know and remember about being a Filipino. It is to EH QRWHG WKDW DPRQJ WKH RIÀFLDO celebration sites in Alberta, it is the Philippine Arts Council, with Kalinangan, whose main focus is Philippine arts and culture. To participate, support and for more information on Kalinangan, visit philippineartscouncil.com.

To comment on this article, go to http://thelucilaproject. blogspot.ca .

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

COMMUNITY/EDITORIAL

The illusive peace in Mindanao last May 23 triggered intense ÀJKWLQJ DFURVV WKH FLW\ DQG OHG to the imposition of Martial Law for the entire Mindanao Region.

The Martial Law declaration has been extended, from the original 60-days to another 5 months, MARCO until December 31, 2017. Marawi LUCIANO has experiences almost daily mluciano2@gmail.com bombings by the government forces.

I got a chance to speak to Beverly Longid and several Marco Luciano is the Global Council Representative of Philippine based Migrante International. He is also the current Secretary General of its chapter Migrante Canada. others from the Philippine delegation about the situation in the Philippines. One member of Karapatan, a human rights organization in the Philippines said “There is something insidious about a government who allows this level of arbitrary rule at the expense of human rights, more so when the casualties are callously labeled as collateral damage.

How many more are missing? How many more are dead? How many civilians have been wrongfully ODEHOHG DV ,6,6 Ă€JKWHUV WR Ă€W WKH narrative of the government? We reiterate the need to question the government’s narrative in Marawi. Evacuees themselves question the real security threat, as most violations and damages n the last 3 weeks I was in joined by Eddie Falcon of the ZHUH LQĂ LFWHG E\ 6WDWH VHFXULW\ Toronto for the preparation of Iraq Veterans Against War in forcesâ€?. an international conference the US and Florentino Lopez ´7KH FRQĂ LFW LQ 0DUDZL KDV that I helped organize. The of the Mexico’s Frente Popular bred violations of many forms, successful conference entitled Revolucionario. and has separated families with 7KH Ă€UVW SDQHO RQ WKH Ă€UVW “Solidarity and Fight Back: little hope of reuniting. Under Building Resistance to US- day of the conference explored the imposition of martial law, Led War and Militarismâ€? from the “Many Faces of War and anyone is a suspect, and their August 5-7, 2017 gathered Militarismâ€?. Speaker Beverly rights are subject to authorities’ 270 anti-war and social justice Longid of the Cordillera Peoples discretion. This was not remedied activists from 121 organizations, Alliance showed images of by the supplemental guidelines networks and movements from Marawi City after the daily aerial released by both the AFP and 21 countries who oppose wars, bombings last May when martial the PNP. The only remedy to the militarism, repression and foreign law was declared and described spiralling human rights situation intervention and who assert or it as “This is not Aleppo, this is in Marawi and in Mindanao is the support the right of peoples to Marawiâ€?. Her presentation is immediate lifting of martial law,â€? self-determination, justice and very compelling and showed the Said Fr. Rex Reyes, the Secretary peace. realities happening in Marawi General of the National Council Keynote speeches by Leila with actual pictures. of Churches in the Philippines Khaled of the Popular Front As you may have seen who was also a speaker in the for the Liberation of Palestine in the news, there’s a raging conference. delivered her video statement FRQĂ LFW LQ WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV WRGD\ “The extension of martial law and underscored the importance In the Islamic City of Marawi, until December 2017 will further of the conference, “We must in the Province of Lanao del deepen the historical injustices understand the realities we are Sur. An anti-terror operations facing and identify the tools we by government forces against FRQWLQXHG RQ SDJH Ĺš QHHG WR Ă€JKW EDFNÂľ She was the so-called IS-inspired groups

Migrants' Voices

I

AUGUST 2017

DFA-OVS Overseas Voting Campaign Continues to Garner Accolades

From L-R: Ms. Frances Anne A. Jamisola (DFA-OVS), Atty. Genevieve VelicariaGuevarra (COMELEC-OFOV), Chairman J. Andres D. Bautista (COMELEC), Vice Chair Edgardo O. Castro (DFA-OVS), Commissioner Arthur D. Lim (COMELEC), Mr. Luiz Carlos I. Osorio (DFA-OVS), Ms. Rizzajamila S. San Juan (DFA-OVS), Ms. Sarah B. Nacario (DFA-OVS) and Mr. Arneil B. Sergio (DFA-OVS).

Photo Credits: Ms. Marianne de Vera

T

he Department of Foreign Affairs announced today 23 August 2017, that during the 77th Anniversary celebration of the Commission on Elections yesterday, the COMELEC En Banc recognized the DFA-Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS) with a plaque of appreciation for its “invaluable collaboration and unprecedented contribution, as well as innovative approach, support and assistance in the May 9, 2016 National Elections for Overseas Voting, thus ensuring the increase enfranchisement of Overseas Filipino Voters in peaceful, orderly and credible elections.�

Last March 2016, the COMELEC En Banc awarded a plaque of recognition to DFA-OVS for its support and assistance in the 2014-2015 Continuing Registration for Overseas Voting that “enabled the Foreign Service Posts to attain the goal of the Commission on Election and the Department of Foreign Affairs to achieve the One Million registered overseas voters for purposes of the May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections.�

At present, after almost nine (9) months of overseas voter registration 'HFHPEHU $XJXVW overseas voter registration continues

debunk the notion that Mid-term/ Senatorial elections draws less interest from overseas Filipinos to participate by garnering new OV registrants, surpassing the previous Mid-term/Senatorial HOHFWLRQV UHJLVWUDWLRQ ÀJXUHV of 82,285 (2005-2006) and 222,722 (2011-2012).

In addition, 9RWH $6HOĂ€H:RUWK\3+, the overseas voting campaign conducted by DFA-OVS, COMELEC, and The Filipino Channel (TFC) for the 2016 elections was awarded “Gold Anvilâ€? during the 52nd Anvil awards organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) last March 2017. The same campaign also garnered the “Award of Excellenceâ€? in the 15th Philippine Quill Awards by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). “These accolades are validation that overseas voting has achieved a modicum of relevance in the Philippine democratic process. We could not have done it without the support our partners in media and the hard work of the men and women of the Foreign Service,â€? said Undersecretary Jose Luis G. Montales, who is concurrently Chairman of DFA-OVS. FRQWLQXHG RQ SDJH Ĺš

THE EDMONTON HERITAGE FESTIVAL FOUNDATION, GATHERED THE WORLD IN ONE PLACE: Ours is the Philippine Pavilion

EDITOR’S CORNER E\ /LWR 0HQGR]D 9HODVFR

B

ased on the Filipino pioneers, the Filipino community in Edmonton began in 1961 when a family of three Filipino immigrants, Doctors Larry and Oliva Gironella, a psychiatrist and a SV\FKRORJLVW ZLWK WKHLU ÀUVW FKLOG Nenette came to Edmonton. In the subsequent years, Filipino teachers, nurses, engineers, and accountants arrived in Edmonton. The population of the Filipino community in Edmonton

continued to increase due to immigration of Filipinos from the Philippines and migration from other Canadian provinces.

Now, after 43 years, there are approximately 36,000 Filipinos living in Edmonton and approximately 113,205 Filipinos living in Alberta.

While the Filipinos became assimilated into the Canadian mosaic community, they continued to preserve their own Filipino culture, heritage,

and identity. They also became appreciative and supportive of other ethnic groups in Edmonton.

Starting from the early 70’s, some cultural groups had been formed to promote awareness of the Filipino culture. Several Filipino organizations, food stores and restaurants had also been established.

The Filipino community has a very strong ethnic representation particularly in Edmonton. Since 1961, various Filipino organizations have been given ample chances to spearhead and represent the Filipino Community during this annual Festival. This year 2017, the Filipino Community had been represented by the Congress of the Philippine Associations of Alberta (COPA ALBERTA),

headed by its President Jose “Jun� Angeles, to complete its 43rd year of involvement with the Edmonton Heritage Festival.

The Karilagan Dance Society, with the ardent and indefatigable support of the newly organized Filipino cultural performers had been leading this event’s involvement that provided entertainment featuring Filipino folk dances and songs at the Philippine Pavilion. The Saranay Associations of Edmonton had also been incharge of the arts and crafts where the Filipino native products were exhibited and sold. The Filipino community is pleased to show to the world the Filipino authentic food, arts and crafts, and cultural performances. Various Filipino Organizations had also

shown support by volunteering and engaging their time to set up the tent, assist the visitors WR ÀQG RWKHU 3DYLOLRQV VHOO IRRGV at the Philippine Pavilion during the three-day event. Very visible were the FreeDX, Association of Batangeùos of Alberta (ABA), Tau Gamma Phi and Sigma Brotherhood and Sisterhood, the Philippine Warrior Arts Society, MDG Productions and Crosstown Motors, the Alberta Filipino Journal Staff, and others.

If your organizations’ name were not mentioned here; then, feel free to call our attention so we can have you acknowledged in the next issue of our Journal.

The Filipino community, throughout the COPA Alberta, had warmly welcomed everyone to the Filipino Pavilion.

AUGUST 2017

RELIGION/IMMIGRATION SERVICES

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

11

Faith Shared Is Fate Paired

St. Augustine of Hippo is the patron of brewers because of his conversionfrom a former life of loose living, which included parties, entertainment, and worldly ambitions. His complete turnaround and conversion has been an inspiration to many who struggle with a particular vice or habit they long to break.

This famous son of St. Monica was born in Africa and spent many years of his life in wicked living and in false beliefs. Though he was one of the most intelligent men who ever lived and though he had been brought up a Christian, his sins of impurity and his pride darkened his mind so much, that he could not see or understand the Divine Truth anymore.

Through the prayers of his holy mother and the marvelous preaching of St. $PEURVH $XJXVWLQH ÀQDOO\ EHFDPH convinced that Christianity was the one true religion.

Yet he did not become a Christian then, because he thought he could never live a pure life. One day, however, he heard about two men who had suddenly been converted on reading the life of St. Antony, and he felt terrible ashamed of himself. "What are we doing?" he cried to his friend Alipius. "Unlearned people are taking Heaven by force, while we, with all our knowledge, are so cowardly that we keep rolling around in the mud of our sins!"

Full of bitter sorrow, Augustine Ă XQJ KLPVHOI RXW LQWR WKH garden and cried out to God, "How long more, O Lord? Why does not this hour put an end to my sins?" Just then he heard a child singing, "Take up and read!"

Thinking that God intended him to hear those words, he picked up the book of the Letters of St. Paul, and read the ÀUVW SDVVDJH KLV JD]H IHOO RQ ,W ZDV MXVW what Augustine needed, for in it, St. Paul says to put away all impurity and to live in imitation of Jesus. That did it!

From then on, Augustine began a new life.

He was baptized, became a priest, a bishop, a famous Catholic writer, Founder of religious priests, and one of the greatest saints that ever lived.

He became very devout and charitable, too. On the wall of his room he had the following sentence written in large letters: "Here we do not speak evil of anyone."

St. Augustine overcame strong heresies, practiced great poverty and supported the poor, preached very often and prayed with great fervor right up until his death.

"Too late have I loved You!" he once cried to God, but with his holy life he certainly made up for the sins he committed before his conversion. His feast day is August 28th.

Katrina Cereno is a junior high student. She spent her efforts in writing and interested to drawings and photography. She's looking forward to be a future architect. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta with her family.

St. Augustine overcame strong heresies, practiced great poverty and supported the poor, preached very often and prayed with great fervor right up until his death. "Too late have I loved You!" he once cried to God, but with his holy life he certainly made up for the sins he committed before his conversion.

His feast day is August 28th.

$UWLFOHV OLIWHG IURP WKH &DWKROLF RUJ ZHEVLWH KWWS ZZZ FDWKROLF RUJ VDLQWV VDLQW SKS"VDLQWBLG

12

GREETINGS

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

AUGUST 2017

Cara Ladores Celebrates her First Birthday P

roud parents Ryan and Donna Ladores, threw a grand birthday celebration for their Ă€UVW ERUQ GDXJKWHU &DUPHOLWD´&DUDÂľ Willa Ladores last July 30th at the Executive Royal Inn Hotel. Cara is the only granddaughter of the late Wilfredo “Boyâ€? Ladores who always called her his “princessâ€?. What better party could Cara have had WKDQ RQH Ă€W IRU D SULQFHVV" 7KH party was attended by close friends and family and was graced by the presence of singing princesses Snow Queen Elsa, and Beauty Princess Belle. It was an afternoon of fun and entertainment for all the kids and the kids at heart.

3KRWR &UHGLW E\ 6WHYHQ /L 3KRWRJUDSK\

A Celebration for Kizette Carleigh' s Dedication

Dr. Chum & Jeff, parents of Kizette Carleigh (KC) dedicated their daughter to Christianhood in a celebration at Palabok House Restaurant last Saturday August 12, 2017.

The dedication was attended by family, friends & colleagues.

KC is a gift from above and just ÀWWLQJ WR ZHOFRPH KHU WR WKH Christian world.

AUGUST 2017

COMMUNITY/BUSINESS

COFFEE BREAK: Celebrating a Pound of Success

First Filipinos in their trades Michael Bernal (Edm, AB) red seal journeyman Crane operator & Josiah Acasio (BC) red seal journey Crane operator, Mark Relos (Edm AB) locomotive engineer @ CN.

T

he Filipino Workforce at the University of Alberta Hospital takes a 15 minute coffee break without affecting their duties just to celebrate and share a pound of success as the four employees Ed, Ner, Rolando, and Wilson, have been successfully hired to the new positions by the Alberta Health Services.

Also, another group of Filipino achievers Michael Bernal of Edmonton, Mark Relos of Edmonton, and Josiah Acasio of British Columbia have also EHHQ H[FHOOLQJ LQ WKHLU ÀHOGV RI endeavour.

Filipinos are SakopOriented indeed. They can easily share or extend the sense of generosity and hospitality as the expressions of gratitude. A single cent being added on their salary would automatically trigger them to organize and invite friends to a simple get-together party.

Fellow Filipinos, let's all maintain these positive values by continuously sharing the blessings.

IURP SDJH

DFA-OVS Overseas Voting Campaign “Congratulations to the Overseas Voting Secretariat, the Foreign Service Posts and COMELEC! The challenge now is how to maintain the momentum so we can reach our ambitious JRDO RI KDYLQJ WZR PLOOLRQ TXDOLÀHG overseas registered voters for the 2019 elections,” said Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano.

All Filipino citizens who expect to be abroad from 13 April – 13 May 2019 during the overseas voting period for the 2019 Elections, at least 18 years old on 13 May 2019, and QRW RWKHUZLVH GLVTXDOLÀHG E\ law, may register as an overseas voter, at all Philippine Foreign Service Posts including the three (3) Manila Economic and Cultural 2IÀFHV 0(&2 LQ 7DLZDQ IRU DQ updated list please go to www. dfa-oavs.gov.ph or www.comelec. gov.ph). REGISTER AND VOTE !

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

13

14

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

COMMUNITY/GREETINGS/ENTERTAINMENT

-D\ /DZUHQFH V (QWUDQFH to the Christian World

AUGUST 2017

(PLOLD 0LOO\

Angeles Christening

3URXG )LOLSLQR &DQDGLDQ SDUHQWV -RKQ DQG 0DULFHO 0LUDQGD SUHVHQW WKHLU UHFHQWO\ EDSWL]HG ÀUVW ERUQ son Jay Lawrence with his godparents and their families. The baptism was performed by Fr.Paul Kavanagh at the St.John The Evanglist Parish.

3KRWR E\ 0RVHV %LOODFXUD $)-

Congratulations to Katrina and Joseph Angeles for the christening of their daughter 'Milly' last Saturday, August 12, 2017. Baptism was held at the Annunciation Church followed by a reception at Shaw Convention Center.

The Birthday Girls in Summertime

Summer birthdays for cousins Melissa Marquicias (Aug 13) and Andrea Candava (Aug 12). Best wishes from all your friends and family.

ADVERTISE WITH US 780-916-7677 DOEHUWDĸOLSLQRMRXUQDO #JPDLO FRP

AUGUST 2017

EDUCATION/RELIGION

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

What is Academic Upgrading?

FROM DREAM INTO BEAM

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([FHUSW IURP WKH ,4$6 &UHGHQWLDO 7HPSODWH

0DWKHPDWLFV

Analysis of the Philippine secondary mathematics curriculum suggests that it compares to the Alberta secondary Mathematics 20-1. The Philippine curriculum covers most of the Mathematics 20-1 content, some of the Mathematics 30-1 content, along with additional content not covered in the Alberta curriculum – some algebra and, especially, geometry concepts are covered with more depth in the Philippines. On the other hand, some topics are missing from the Philippine curriculum such as permutations, combinations, conics and transformational geometry.

MERVIN MENDOZA CERENO mmcereno@gmail.com

Mervin Cereno is a Filipino Engineer, Academician and Entrepreneur who choose to migrate in Canada. He got his Provisional License* as Professional Engineer from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientist of Alberta (APEGA) only after 8 months from the time he landed to Canada in March 2016. Presently, he is pursuing Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree at the University of Alberta. For pieces of advice and queries on licensing procedure in Alberta you can contact him through email at cereno@ualberta.ca. *Provisional License are granted after satisfying all the requirements of the APEGA Board RI 'LUHFWRUV H[FHSW WKH 2QH <HDU &DQDGLDQ ([SHULHQFH LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;HOG RI HQJLQHHULQJ

%LRORJ\

Analysis of the biology curriculum, part of the second year of high school in the Philippines, suggests that most of the concepts of the Alberta biology program are covered, including some components of Biology 30.

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Chemistry, taught in Year 3 of the Philippine secondary education, seems to address all of the concepts covered in Science 10, part of Chemistry 20 and little of Chemistry 30. Solutions and gases (Chemistry 20) appear well covered in the Philippine curriculum, but Stoichiometry and Organic Chemistry are missing.

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The physics program, covered in Year 4, addresses VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW WRSLFV RI 3K\VLFV ZLWK WKH IROORZLQJ exceptions: kinematics, two-dimensional motion, simple harmonic motion, circular motion and mechanical waves. Some concepts of Physics 30 DUH DOVR FRYHUHG EXW ZLWK WKH IROORZLQJ VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW omissions: conservation of momentum in twodimensional interactions, Kirchhoff's rules, Lenz's ODZ HOHFWULF FKDUJHV LQ HOHFWULF DQG PDJQHWLF Ă&#x20AC;HOGV wave particle duality, deBroglie, Compton effect, the development of the atomic model and Balmer's series (hydrogen spectrum).

I

n recent years, most Filipino immigrant in Canada and those that are initially landed as Filipino Temporary Skilled Worker are the product of the Philippines' Education System of 10-year basic education and the 4 years to 5 years Bachelors' Degree.

The usual educational assessment of those high school diploma and degrees lacks merit compared to the Canadian education system. In general perspective, the graduates of the 4-year high school in the Philippines are only comparable to the Grade 11 of the Canadian education system. Meaning, the high school GLSORPD JDLQHG LQ WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV LV QRW TXDOLĂ&#x20AC;HG WR SURFHHG WR post-secondary education in Canada. The matrix below will explain comparison why an academic upgrading is a typical mandatory requirement for Filipinos whose basic education were gained from Philippines.

Words of Eternal Life

Dear friends in the Lord, "I thank my God each time I think of you and every time I pray for all of you, I pray with joy!" (Philippians 1:3ff) <RXU VHOĂ HVV GHGLFDWLRQ volunteering and hard work speaks of your good stewardship spirituality in making our world a better place to live in. Let us UHĂ HFW WRJHWKHU LQ OLQH ZLWK WKH call of God, a vocation in each, and in everyone of us.

In searching for eternal happiness...

We can give our time, talents, treasure and energy for many causes and various reasons. We can spend a lot of time making enough money to buy a decent retirement house or condo unit, travel the world, to have a brand new car, putting a new business for the future of children and family security etc. We give up some things we like to get what we want. We sell a car to buy another brand new car. We may give up personal interests to look after the family well. Marriage GHPDQGV LWV VDFULĂ&#x20AC;FHV IRU WKH joy of the love it brings us, as friendship does also.

Total abandonment to the will of God and respond to His radical call...

We know that to get something, we may have to give something else up. Priestly

at St. Joseph Seminary and Newman theological College at St. Albert, here in Alberta. Couple of years later, I was ordained by Archbishop Collins in 2005 who is now Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Toronto.

FR. NILO In the Gospel of my ordination MACAPINLAC in 2005, the Gospel according to St. John speaks to me: "You nilmac2003@yahoo.com did not chose Me, I have chosen you." We are giving up something celibacy is a supreme act and and embark for what we think is a solemn vow to follow Christ in more noble and lofty as like what D UDGLFDO ZD\ D VHOĂ HVV ZD\ RI I did. Somehow, I was lacking of following Christ that speaks of wisdom like that of King Solomon the life to come, that in heaven in the Old Testament. I need to Christ said, "People are not walk by faith and it should be marrying anymore." The letting go coupled by wisdom that makes a and let God is a practical example big difference in my life. Without RI WKH VWDWH RI SXULĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ DQG faith and wisdom of God, I can VHOĂ HVV ORYH , OHIW P\ WKUHH go around, and around, making years of Psychology studies from a circle without reaching the University of St. Augustine in destination, or without meeting 1992 instead, I embark to discern the goal, no sense of direction further the very purpose of my DQG QHYHU Ă&#x20AC;QG WKH SHDUO RI JUHDW life and through constant prayer, price.

UHĂ HFWLRQ DQG GLVFHUQPHQW *RG has revealed my vocation. God Jesus, the Way, the Truth and continues to call each and every the Life....a holy path to trod....

This is the sort of idea Jesus one of us, it's a vocation.

I did chose Psychology but puts before us. His message is God has called me to a more that the kingdom of God has noble vocation. I wholeheartedly come among us now. In him, God embraced priestly vocation is very close to the world and to DQG Ă&#x20AC;QDOO\ ODQGHG LQ WKH PLQRU his people. In Jesus, the highway seminary of St. Vincent Ferrer, of God and that of humanity central of the Philippines in merged together. Without Jesus June of 1992. After 23 years no one comes to the Father, Jesus of formal schooling, I left the is the bridge between heaven and seminary and instead landed in earth. Jesus is the fullness of the a teaching position in Manila at revelation of God and the fullness St. James College as instructor of God's Kingdom. Jesus is the and head of the psychology and pearl of great price that we must guidance department. After treasure and cherish while we are a couple of years, on August still on earthen vessels, our lowly 15, 2003, I resigned from my bodies.

The marks of this kingdom teaching position, I left St. James College where I worked, I left are qualities like compassion, my mother, brother and three justice, forgiveness, love, mercy, sisters, I left my colleagues and peace and closeness to God. friends, my teaching profession, These are treasures of life, and to I left my country and discern and OLYH E\ WKHP ZH ZLOO Ă&#x20AC;QG RXUVHOYHV pray deeper and landed again giving up other concerns. To leave

15

Examination of the English curriculum is estimated to be comparable to the Alberta English Language Arts 10-2 ,4$6 ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 4XDOLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQV Assessment Service The academic upgrading is a full or part time courses that can be taken inclass or online and can be completed in a minimum of 10months. The purpose of the academic upgrading is to equal the Canadian high school GLSORPD WR EH TXDOLĂ&#x20AC;HG IRU HPSOR\PHQW that requires high school diploma or proceed to post-secondary education.

In some Canadian Education Institution, the Academic Upgrading might not be required to be admitted in the post-secondary education but requires additional credit units to act as a bridging course.

But, the academic upgrading does not guarantee an individual to proceed further to their post-secondary courses or programs if grade requirements are not met. Hence, it is another challenge to Filipino immigrants to upgrade their profession to its Canadian equivalent.

The implementation of the K-12 education system in the Philippines which started in 2016 will then equal the Canadian Education system and PLJKW EHQHĂ&#x20AC;W WKRVH ZKR ZRXOG EH immigrant to Canada to go directly to their post-secondary education.

behind family members, it takes time for me to face struggles of loneliness and homesickness and yet detachment lead me to follow the Lord in a radical way.

To leave my job and teaching career lead me to totally relying on Divine Providence and to humble myself to be taught again without realizing that education and faith formation is from womb to tomb.

To gain wisdom and to have a solid substance of faith is indeed, it takes a life time process! To VHDUFK DQG WR KDYH Ă&#x20AC;QG WKH SHDUO of great price, it takes ample time, and huge energy for someone who has the sincerity in making this endeavour in life and I would say, every baptized person needs to do.

St. Paul realized as well that at the end of his earthly journey he confessed: "It is no longer I who lives but it is Christ who lives LQ PH :KDW D MR\ Ă&#x20AC;OOHG HDUWKO\ pilgrimage, a well-blessed life! He found the pearl of great price, and how about you? The road on this journey is too narrow and not that easy but full of surprises, thrills and yet delightful when it comes to searching the pearl of great price, Jesus the Christ!

since prayer is a key component in communicating with God. No communication never deepens the relationship, intimacy and friendship. God is love and His love is sweet and contagious... how do we reciprocate that? Is our heart open, receptive? Do we have time in prayer for God?, How sincere we are in deepening our friendship with God? The Sacraments were instituted

by Christ which give us graces necessary for our salvation and Christ offered Himself, totally given up for us! How do we treat and dispose ourselves in reception of Him?

:KRP DUH \RX VHDUFKLQJ IRU LQ WKLV SDVVLQJ ZRUOG" Everything in this world is not purely material, what is essential is spiritual. So, seek the Lord while +H PD\ EH IRXQG VHHN +LP Ă&#x20AC;UVW and his kingdom and everything shall be added unto you, even eternal happiness." In the midst of confused world, so noisy that people are too busy and we are lost in the hustle bustle of life. Do we pause this summer and listen to the one voice, the voice of Jesus. Do we spend a silent prayer so that we can hear God speak in Now, how do we search, how do the deep recesses of our hearts?

ZH Ă&#x20AC;QG WKH SHDUO RI JUHDW SULFH" Do we really pray, discern and :H Ă&#x20AC;QG WKH WUHDVXUHV RI *RG VHHN JXLGDQFH DQG UHĂ HFW ZKDW Ă&#x20AC;UVW DQG IRUHPRVW LQ IDLWK WKURXJK are really our priorities in life? The prayer and Sacraments. Prayer unexamined life of a Christian means that we give time to being is not worth living! With God we with God which we could give to loss nothing but without God in something else. In prayer the Christian life we loss everything! kingdom of heaven grows inside 6HFRQGO\ ZH Ă&#x20AC;QG WKH us. St. Theresa de Avila and St. treasures of God in the wisdom John of the Cross, Carmelite of love. Being in love means that Doctors of the Church and mystics another personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life becomes emphasized in their writings the really important to us, and we may essential of interior life, a life give up what we want and like for of prayer and forming Christian WKH ORYHG RQH :H PD\ VDFULĂ&#x20AC;FH virtues for us to advance in God's much for a family. We may give grace in entering the interior time to caring for our elderly or castle of our spiritual life. Without our sick people which means we prayer life we loss everything FRQWLQXHG WR SDJH Ĺš

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

CR OS S W OR D

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ACROSS

1. Fri. follower 4. ___ Alamos 7. Fables 12. Pres. Lincoln 13. "We ___ Family" 14. Unseals 15. Pretend to sing (2 wds.)

17. School division 18. Blue-pencil 19. Reach 21. Peacemaker 23. Carson's successor 26. All 27. Watch 28. Pursue 31. Devourer 33. School vehicle 34. Perfumes 37. Gels 39. Orthodontic device 43. Microwave again 45. Over 46. Vanity 48. Get 50. Wave type 51. Pension plan (abbr.)

52. Mayday!

53. Revise 54. NYC time zone 55. Potato bud

DOWN

1. Capital of Oregon 2. Remain 3. Moderately warm 4. Deposit eggs 5. Elaborate 6. Zone 7. Roman garment 8. Spring month 9. Least fatty 10. Outcome 11. Compass point (abbr.)

16. Pigs' homes 20. Make a stab at 22. Rd. 24. Originally called 25. Above, in verse 28. ABC rival 29. Tint 30. With a leg on each side 31. Picher's stat 32. Stage remark 34. Natural mineral 35. Honey 36. Aquatic mammals 38. Auto 40. Library no-no 41. Ambassador 24. ___ Witherspoon of "Sweet Home Alabama" 44. Clasped 46. "Harper Valley ___ " 47. Lip *DUÂżHOG H J

RELIGION/RECREATION

our pilgrimage here on earth with content and D KDSS\ IXOO Ă&#x20AC;OOHG OLIH D OLIH RI KHDYHQ RQ HDUWK Words of Eternal Life and leading us to where our goal is. And with the have less time for ourselves. This is a sort of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;selling all words of St. Paul to the Romans, it captures of ZH KDYH¡ DQG Ă&#x20AC;QGLQJ D GHSWK DQG ORYH LQ RXU OLYHV ZKLFK who we are in our constant search for the pearl is the love of God. I love my family but God called me to a of great price: greater love and greater family, the Church, God's family.

Jesus has told me, that those who love their mother, "Brothers and sisters: father and brother or sister more than Me is not worthy We know that all things work for good for those of Me, not worthy of the Kingdom of God, not worthy of who love God, the pearl of great price. I love my career and teaching who are called according to his purpose. profession but I need to give it up for the sake of the one For those he foreknew he also predestined who called me to do God's mission in priestly and pastoral to be conformed to the image of his Son, ministry. I love my country but I need to leave and God VR WKDW KH PLJKW EH WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVWERUQ showed me the land where he leads me. God leads me to among many brothers and sisters.

FRQVWDQW SXULĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ RI LQWHQWLRQ DQG ORYH RI *RG DQG RI And those he predestined he also called; +LV Ă RFN HQWUXVWHG WR PH &KULVW VDLG 7KHUH LV QR JUHDWHU DQG WKRVH KH FDOOHG KH DOVR MXVWLĂ&#x20AC;HG love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. St. John DQG WKRVH KH MXVWLĂ&#x20AC;HG KH DOVR JORULĂ&#x20AC;HG In whatever vocation you are, God has of the Cross said: "At the eve of life, we will be judged by called, chosen and loved you and at the end of love." your search, God will justify and glorify you, for Our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ is the supreme your search and labour are not in vain but the example of this unconditional love. In the end he gave up fullness of happiness and rewarding...eternal life what was most treasured to him â&#x20AC;&#x201C; his own life, so that we in Christ, the pearl of great price. Amen PLJKW Ă&#x20AC;QG DQG OLYH LQ WKH NLQJGRP RI *RG DQG WKH IXOOQHVV Our beloved country, Philippines is known as of God's Kingdom is Christ Himself, the pearl of great the "Pearl of the Orient Seas".

Let us commend price. to the Lord the healing of our land, for peace and For those who search the pearl of great price through reconciliation of hearts.

May the Lord bless our faith, prayer and sacraments and the wisdom of loving the land with peace and prosperity as we continue way God loves in an unconditional way, we may conclude to respond to God's call all the days of our lives.

Amen From page 15

HOROSCOPE Reach out to those people you know will make you feel better today, Aries. There's no reason to sit in your room alone and depressed when you know there are people who would love to hear from you. Don't think that others are too busy to listen to your thoughts and feelings.

Don't get bogged down by past events today, Taurus. It's time WR PRYH IRUZDUG /HDS RXW RI EHG DV LI LW ZHUH \RXU ÂżUVW GD\ RQ the planet. Realize how lucky you are to be alive and how much SRZHU DQG LQĂ&#x20AC;XHQFH \RX KDYH 8VH \RXU SRZHU ZLVHO\ IRU \RX ZLOO ÂżQG WKDW LW V VWURQJHU WKDQ XVXDO

(PRWLRQDO FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW LV OLNHO\ WR HQVXH WRGD\ LI \RX DUHQ W FDUHIXO Gemini. People may step on your toes if you give them the opportunity. Make sure you aren't vulnerable to attack. Someone may be ready to confront you, so you must be ready to defend yourself.

People may have missed your company lately, Cancer. Make an appearance where you know it will be noticed and appreciated.

Look for the good points in others instead of being so judgmental about the bad points. People aren't going to miss you at all if you talk about them behind their backs and only mention the unappealing parts of their personalities.

Don't act like you have all the answers today, Leo. This attitude will get you nowhere. Remember that everyone you encounter has something to teach you, so don't disregard that homeless person on the street. The looks you exchange with a stranger may make or break your attitude for the afternoon.

There's a special power to your words today, Virgo, and an LQWHUQDO FRQÂżGHQFH WKDW UDUHO\ FRPHV DURXQG WKLV VWURQJO\ <RX should notice strength in your emotions and personality. Take WKLV RSSRUWXQLW\ WR JHW RQH VWHS DKHDG RI WKH JDPH <RX KDYH D VSHFLDO LQĂ&#x20AC;XHQFH WKDW FDQ W EH PDWFKHG E\ DQ\RQH

Break open any door that seems to block you today, Libra. It ZRQ W WDNH D JUHDW GHDO RI HŕľľRUW RQ \RXU SDUW WR DFFRPSOLVK WKLV 7KH NH\ LV WR EH PRUH Ă&#x20AC;H[LEOH LQ \RXU DSSURDFK DQG PHUJH ZLWK WKH JURXS HŕľľRUW LQVWHDG RI WU\LQJ WR ÂżJKW DJDLQVW LW

6XGRNX Puzzles are games of patience, numbers and genius! The satisfaction of solving a challenging Sudoku Puzzle is one of the greatest accomplishments any sudoku game player can experience. The rules are VLPSOH Ă&#x20AC;OO LQ WKH EODQNV VR WKDW HDFK URZ HDFK FROXPQ DQG HDFK RI WKH QLQH 3x3 grids contain one instance of each of the numbers 1 through 9.

Here is the puzzle. *RRG OXFN

If you feel like you're running on reserve battery power, Scorpio, remember that you always have a reserve tank ready to kick in.

Don't disregard this. It might help you to know that there's only D OLWWOH WLPH OHIW RQ WKH FORFN <RX ZRUN PRUH HŕľśFLHQWO\ XQGHU pressure. Just remain calm and remember that it isn't the end of the world if things don't work out exactly the way you'd like.

Add a bit of spark to your day, Sagittarius. Get yourself into gear.

It might feel like there's a great deal of anticipation in the air, but don't get ahead of yourself. Enjoy the day you've been given, and make sure you use every minute to its fullest potential.

Fire up your energy today, Capricorn, and demonstrate your SRZHU WR FRQTXHU &UHDWH D ERQÂżUH RI DFWLYLW\ WKDW JLYHV Rŕľľ D great deal of heat to the people around you. Some might not be able to stand too close now. Don't worry - that's their problem, not yours.

Get out of "gimme" mode, in which every new toy or gadget you see calls out your name, Aquarius. If you keep thinking that you need these material things in order to be happy, you will never be WUXO\ VDWLVÂżHG QR PDWWHU KRZ PXFK \RX KDYH It's important to turn your attention to more spiritual matters now, Pisces. Consider enrolling in a yoga class that combines meditation with the physical practice. It's vital to link your mind, body, and soul together. The more you can integrate these three parts of your being, the healthier you will feel. A high-energy dance class would also be a good way to achieve this goal.

Copyright @ www.horoscope.com

Copyright @ www.puzzles.ca/sudoku.html

AUGUST 2017

God bless you richly and loves you dearly!

Yours devotedly in the Lord, Fr. Nilo Belvis Macapinlac IURP SDJH

The illusive peace in Mindanao that has already cut across marginalized sectors in Mindanao. The President, by allowing continued abuses through his militarist approach, is not putting an end to the so-called FRQĂ LFW ,QVWHDG 6WDWH WHUURULVP LV LQWHQVLI\LQJ it,â&#x20AC;? Fr. Reyes added.

The issue is not only contained in the people of Mindanao or the Philippines. This reverberates to the global Filipino diaspora. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Malayo man sa bansang Pilipinas, hindi maalis ang aming pangamba para sa seguridad ng ating mga kababayan na naaapektuhan ng nagaganap na palitan ng putukan sa paggitan ng Maute group at militar. Mahigpit kaming nakikiisa hindi lamang sa mga taga-Mindanao bagkus ay sa lahat ng Pilipino saan mang sulok ng Pilipinas at sa buong mundo dahil ngayon mas kinakailangan ang pagbubuklod-buklod at hindi ang pagkakahati-hati,â&#x20AC;? said in a statement

by Nagkakaisang Pilipino, a Filipino migrant organization in France.

In Australia, the Filipino community in New South Wales marched during the Blacktown City Festival and performed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Singkil for Peace in Mindanaoâ&#x20AC;? in solidarity with the people of Marawi.

In Europe, OFW groups lead by Fr. Herbert Fadriquela Jr., Anglican Chaplain of the Filipino Community of the Diocese of Liecester in the United Kingdom, expressed alarm on the declaration of martial law and suspension of the ongoing peace negotiations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Under military rule, the just and lasting peace we aspire for shall recede farther away, more human rights abuses and violence would reign in our land,â&#x20AC;? decried Fr. Fadriquela of Migrante Europe.

In Edmonton, a Mass for Peace in Marawi was held at the Catholic Parish of Corpus Cristi on August 4 presided by Fr. J. Roy Allan Laudenorio.

Overseas Filipino organizations also called on the Philippine government to immediately lift Proclamation No. 216 declaring a state of martial law in Mindanao, and resume the peace negotiations with groups addressing the roots RI HFRQRPLF VWULIH DQG DUPHG FRQĂ LFW LQ WKH Philippines.

Migrante International in its statement asserted ´DQ LURQ Ă&#x20AC;VW SROLF\ LV QRW WKH VROXWLRQ WR the deeply-rooted problems in Philippine society such as poverty, violence and lawlessness. These problems should be addressed comprehensively by the government while pursuing peace talks towards achieving just and lasting peace.â&#x20AC;?

AUGUST 2017

COMMUNITY/BUSINESS

6LVWHU -DQH 6HQGV 2II )RU $ 1HZ 0LVVLRQ %\ 'DULR -XDQLOOR

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

A

send off Party was given to Sister Jane Alindajao, held last August 19, 2017 at St. Agnes Banquet Hall in South Edmonton. It was attended by nearly 300 parishioners and friends of Sister Jane. Songs,

17

GDQFHV Ă RZHUV DQG NLQG ZRUGV were offered to her. Sister Jane served the Twin Parishes St. Anthony and St. Agnes Church for 7 years. She will have her new assignment in Meycawayan, Bulacan Philippines.

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

IMMIGRATION/ANNOUNCEMENT

AUGUST 2017

&DQDGD V 6SRXVDO 6SRQVRUVKLS 3XEOLF 3ROLF\ and Conditional Permanent Residence From Migration to Immigration MARJORIE CARMONA NEWMAN info@mcncanadaimmigration.com 780-758-2045

Marjorie Carmona Newman is a REGULATED CANADIAN IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT based in Edmonton, Alberta. She currently serves as Prairie Chapter representative for Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC) in the Governance and Nomination Committee and Education Director for CAPIC Prairie last year.

I

have had several consultations this month regarding a principal applicant or sponsored spouse who is the subject to a

removal order particularly on in-land spousal sponsorship applications. The main question is why am I being removed if there is a pending Spousal

Application in process?

Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC's) Operational Manual IP 8 states that "spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens/permanent residents may be processed for permanent residence from within Canada regardless of their immigration status.

The objective of this policy is "to facilitate IDPLO\ UHXQLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ DQG IDFLOLWDWH SURFHVVLQJ in cases where spouses or commonlaw partners are already living together in Canada". Same policy manual further provides that Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) will grant a temporary administrative deferral of removal for qualifying applicants. /HW XV H[DPLQH WKH TXDOLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQV RI DQ

applicant to qualify for an administrative deferral of removal: 1. Filed a Spousal Sponsorship Application prior to being deemed removal ready by CBSA; 2. Are not inadmissible for security, human or international rights violations, criminality/serious criminality, or organized criminality; 3. Are not excluded from refugee protection under Article F of the Geneva Convention; 4. Do not have pending criminal charges or charges that have been dropped for the purpose of effecting removal from Canada; 5. Do not have an outstanding warrant for removal; 6. Have not previously hindered or delayed removal; +DYH QRW DOUHDG\ EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WWHG IURP D GHIHUUDO RI removal under this policy; and 8. Have not been previously deported and returned to Canada without permission.

According to IP 8, an individual will be considered "removal ready", and therefore ineligible for a deferral of removal in the following circumstances: "For the purposes of this public policy, by the time an applicant attends a pre-removal interview, they are general removal ready. This means that a client who has been called to a pre-removal interview by any means (letter, call etc.) and who has not already applied as a spousal H&C applicant or a Spouse or CommonLaw Partner in Canada class applicant, cannot, from the point they are called to the interview forward, EHQHĂ&#x20AC;W IURP DQ DGPLQLVWUDWLYH GHIHUUDO RI UHPRYDO &RQGLWLRQDO 3HUPDQHQW 5HVLGHQFH If you recall sometime in October 2012, Canada's Federal Government introduced the conditional permanent residence status for sponsored spouses.

Under Division 8 of Part 5 of the Immigration, Refugee and Protection Regulation (section 72.1 to 72.4), sponsored spouses were required to cohabit in a conjugal relationship with their sponsor for a continuous period of two years after obtaining permanent resident status. Failure to comply with this requirement would result in the loss of permanent residence for the sponsored spouse as well as his/ her accompanying dependents. The rationale behind such requirement was to dissuade foreign nationals from entering fraudulent marriages or marriages of convenience for the purpose of acquiring permanent resident status in Canada.

On April 18, 2017 the Government of Canada &$1&(//(' &RQGLWLRQDO 3HUPDQHQW 5HVLGHQFH This means that conditional permanent residence no longer applies to anyone. ,I \RX UHFHLYH \RXU &RQĂ&#x20AC;UPDWLRQ RI 3HUPDQHQW Residence on or after April 18, 2017 and it indicates that you "must cohabit in a conjugal relationship with your sponsor or partner for a continuous of period of two years after the day on which you became a "PR", this requirement no longer applies to you.

If you were under investigation for not complying with the requirement to live with your spouse or partner, you are no longer under investigation.

However, the Government will continue to investigate allegations of marriage fraud. To report fraud including marriage fraud please contact the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at toll free number 1-888-502-9060.

If you have questions regarding the above article you may contact Marjorie at info@mcncanadaimmigration. com 6RXUFH ,PPLJUDWLRQ 5HIXJHHV DQG &LWL]HQVKLS &DQDGD ,5&& DQG ,3

AUGUST 2017

POLITICS/ANNOUNCEMENT P

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

19

Hello Ward 9 %\ 3D\PDQ 3DUVH\DQ %\ 3D

H Hello Ward 9. You’ve seen my signs, my m energy and my commitment to be b your councillor. I want you to ttake this into consideration when you are voting this October. We all know a go-getter or have an energetic co-worker that will not sit around and watch the paint dry. An energetic candidate is committed to working hard IRU WKH ZDUG :LWK D ÀVFDOO\ conservative and socially progressive mentality, I am committed to ensuring Payman Parseyan amidst other political candidates, supporters, and potential voters at the park in ward 9. we tackle our transportation needs, continue to preserve our river valley, tackle surplus school sites/affordable housing concerns with PROPER community engagement, ensuring that our communities grow with proper urban planning and an attractive Edmonton for families and investment. , ZDQW \RX WR NQRZ WKDW , DP VWLOO ÀUPO\ FRPPLWWHG WR P\ QR GRQDWLRQV SROLF\ 7KLV ensures that your best interest is the only consideration I have when making a decision rather than owing favours to developers that have donated to the campaign.

1. Being D IRUPHU ODZ HQIRUFHPHQW RIÀFHU ZKHUH P\ PDLQ GXWLHV LQFOXGHG WUDIÀF HQIRUFHPHQW DQG VFKRRO UHVRXUFH ZRUN DOORZV PH WR VSHDN RQ WUDIÀF VDIHW\ LQ D FRPPXQLW\ ÀOOHG ZLWK NLGV SOD\LQJ RXWVLGH 7KLV DOVR DOORZV PH WR provide a strong case to eliminate ‘Photo Radar’ from freeways and mandate it to school zones/playground zones/high-density pedestrian areas.

2. I am now a VHOI HPSOR\HG FRQVXOWDQW SURMHFW PDQDJHU in the energy Sector, A Mother's Love: Manna Parseyan, number 1 fan and supporter of Payman!

where I have worked on many sites in the city and away from home (Trans Canada, Suncor, Syncrude, Cenovus, CNRL, Nexen, JACOS, etc.), weeks at a time, in remote camps where there is no cell-phone service. I am also a safety consultant and a 1DWLRQDO &RQVWUXFWLRQ 6DIHW\ 2IÀFHU This allows me to understand industry and our vibrant energy sector. I believe that this area could often XVH PRUH VXSSRUW IURP RXU HOHFWHG RIÀFLDOV 2XU &LW\ KDV LPPHQVH opportunity for investment such as ‘Port Alberta.’ We need an HOHFWHG RIÀFLDO ZKR LV SDVVLRQDWH WR SXVK IRU LQYHVWPHQW 3. I am D UHDOWRU ZLWK P\ RZQ UHDO HVWDWH WHDP FRPSULVHG RI RWKHU UHDOWRUV DQG DVVLVWDQWV We deal with transactions in Residential, Commercial and Rural properties. This allows me to understand land use bylaws, community development, the areas of growth and the effects of rapid development without proper urban planning. I also held the most seminars on the growth analysis of the Edmonton-Leduc land annexation agreement out of any realtor in this city.

4. I am D VPDOO UHVWDXUDQW RZQHU RQ WKH YLEUDQW :K\WH DYHQXH This business that I started with a partner allows me to speak on our hospitality sector, understand the importance of having/ supporting locally owned businesses where Edmontonians are the entrepreneurs.

Being the owner/part owner of 3 small businesses allow me to speak to a large portion of ward 9. The very large population of selfemployed small business owners who want to support their local economy while being innovative entrepreneurs need the ears of an HOHFWHG RIÀFLDO WKDW FDQ KHDU WKHP DQG VXSSRUW WKHLU JURZWK Young leaders bring creative and innovative solutions into society in this 21st century world and having a young leader with a proven track record and the right experience will ensure that our city, our ward and the young families that make up the community have a voice. I am energetic and passionate. When making a decision I want you to remember my inclusive and diverse campaigning with home owner supported fence signs, door knocking (over 10,000 homes as of August 16th) and my social media efforts. Now imagine ZKDW WKLV NLQG RI FDQGLGDWH ZRXOG EH OLNH LQ RIÀFH 7KH IXWXUH IRU ZDUG DQG (GPRQWRQ LV LQ \RXU KDQGV

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ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL

BUSINESS

AUGUST 2017